Chapter 13
“…What?”
“It seems something happened between you two yesterday,” Killian said casually. “The man who used to call you family and protect you like his life depended on it suddenly avoids you and won’t even come close. That says a lot.”
He was quick to notice things — too quick. But right now, I wasn’t grateful for that.
I couldn’t tell if Killian was saying it out of curiosity or genuine interest, but his words pierced through me like a knife.
“He probably just needs time to think. I… I was too impulsive.”
“What, did you kiss him or something?”
“No. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this, but… I confessed.”
Maybe it was because he already knew the truth about my situation — and because I knew he wouldn’t tell anyone.
He was dangerous, but at least Killian only had eyes for Eve. That made it easier to talk to him.
“He probably likes Lady Rotecia,” I muttered. “At this rate, it won’t take long before they become something more.”
Even as I said it, my own words hurt.
Because I knew — his fate was never meant to cross with mine.
Watching Hares talk to Eve like that, so easily, so comfortably, only reminded me of what “reality” really was.
I felt defeated.
I had already thrown away my pride the moment I fell for him.
For so long, I’d buried my feelings just to keep things the same — but now they were bursting out uncontrollably.
And seeing Hares avoiding me, yet smiling gently while talking to Eve…
It made me jealous. So jealous that I wanted to march over and pull them apart.
Pathetic. Shameful. But I was only human, after all.
Meanwhile, Killian — who was also hopelessly in love with someone — spoke with calm indifference.
“It doesn’t matter who Lady Rotecia feels anything for,” he said, his tone smooth. “In the end, she’ll be mine. I’m simply letting her enjoy her freedom a little longer before that.”
That’s right. He would take her — even by force if he had to.
He didn’t care if she loved him or not. Because he could.
With power, with influence — he could keep her by his side forever.
He glanced down at me and smiled faintly.
“Lady Chelsea, I imagine this must be rather unpleasant for you.”
“It’s just… unfair,” I said quietly. “We both like someone we can’t have, but you’re the one who holds all the power. I’m the helpless one.”
“It’s Killian,” he corrected with a smirk. “You know my name.”
“We’re not close enough for that,” I said flatly. “We’re just two people cooperating over a shared secret — nothing more.”
I didn’t need to get any closer to a man like him.
Killian chuckled softly. “You never know. Considering what’s happened between you and him… who knows what might happen between us later?”
I frowned. “You know I’m upset, so why do you keep provoking me like this?”
He didn’t answer. Maybe he just liked watching my reactions — like it amused him.
But I couldn’t even be angry. My mouth was dry, my heart aching as if someone had stabbed it.
There was no cure for this kind of pain — no medicine for emotions.
All I could do was pretend to be fine.
I tried to look away from Hares and Eve, tried to endure the sight of them together.
But it hurt. It hurt so badly I wanted to run home and cry until I couldn’t anymore.
Maybe then the heavy pressure on my chest would finally ease.
My heart felt crushed under a boulder.
Then Killian said, almost mockingly, “Didn’t you already know this would happen? You didn’t really believe he’d suddenly embrace you and say he loves you too, did you? Friends and lovers aren’t the same thing.”
He paused — then tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely curious.
“Lady Chelsea… are you really that naïve?”
“….”
And with that, the tears I had been holding back burst out before I could stop them.
I’d tried so hard not to cry.
I told myself to endure it — just a little longer, just hold on.
But his words were too brutally realistic to deny.
My lips trembled as I sucked in a shaky breath.
My chest rose and fell unevenly; my shoulders shook. My nose stung. My eyes blurred with tears until everything around me turned hazy.
All I could see were the startled faces of people who noticed — confused, awkward, avoiding my gaze.
But I could barely see them anymore.
“…Why did you stop walking?”
Killian turned to look at me — and froze when he realized I was crying.
For a moment, he just stared, clearly unsure of what to do — watching me like some kind of experiment gone wrong.
“Wait.”
He looked around at the watching crowd, then placed a firm hand on my shoulder and guided me away.
He half-shielded my body and led me out onto the balcony.
It was his words that had made me cry, but even so — right now, I needed someone.
I didn’t want to be alone.
So I didn’t resist. I just followed him.
At least crying out here would draw fewer eyes than doing it in the middle of the ballroom.
The door closed softly behind us.
And finally, I let myself cry freely.
“….”
Killian didn’t speak. For once, he didn’t taunt me or make jokes.
He just stood there, awkward and unsure, not even knowing where to place his hands.
Then, after a moment, he gently pulled me into his arms.
“Let go!” I protested weakly.
I didn’t want to be in his arms — not now, not like this.
But of course, Killian being who he was, didn’t let go.
He only patted my back stiffly — the most awkward gesture in the world.
I tried to calm down, tried to stop crying in that unfamiliar embrace.
Eventually, the tears subsided.
I pulled away slowly, exhaling a long, shaky breath.
He looked at me, unsure what to say or do.
“Should I… get you some water?” he asked.
“No.”
My voice was hoarse, my eyes swollen and hot.
I glared up at him through blurred lashes. “Honestly… I just want to go home. But I promised I’d stay a little longer.”
“You can go,” he said simply. “Nothing here is important enough to force yourself to stay.”
“I know. But if I leave now… it’ll look strange.”
Like I was running away. Like I was trying to get Hares’s attention.
My emotions were all over the place, and none of it was his fault.
He was only talking with Eve — nothing more.
It was me who was falling apart.
“I’m sorry,” Killian murmured — though he still didn’t let go.
And then I noticed — his gaze wasn’t on me anymore.
He was looking past me, over my shoulder — toward the balcony doors.
I took a quiet breath, feeling my heartbeat slow again.
Crying had left me drained but lighter.
Killian’s hand brushed through my hair. “It’s my fault,” he whispered softly. “I’m sorry.”
Why was he suddenly acting gentle?
His tone, his touch — so uncharacteristically tender — only made me suspicious.
And then, I understood why.
Because the balcony doors opened — roughly — behind me.
And from behind came that familiar low, trembling voice.
“…Lize.”
Hares’s voice.
It was rough, like metal scraping against stone.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” I lied — my voice shaky from all the crying.
I couldn’t tell him that I’d broken down because seeing him with Eve had felt like someone ripping my heart out.
That would only make him feel guilty — confused — trapped.
“I just… need a little time. I’m okay now.”
“I know you,” he said softly, stepping closer. “You’re not okay. You never cry like this.”
His footsteps echoed against the stone floor as he came nearer.
And I — panicking — lifted a trembling hand.
“Don’t come any closer!”
